NC H535

Establishes the North Carolina Firefighter Cancer Health Care Benefit Plan administered by the Department of Insurance to provide supplemental insurance for firefighters diagnosed with cancer on or after January 1, 2022.

Eligible firefighters must have served in a North Carolina fire department for a minimum of five continuous years and cannot be receiving workers' compensation benefits for cancer.

Provides three types of benefits: reimbursement up to $12,000 for out-of-pocket medical expenses per cancer diagnosis, a lump sum benefit of $25,000 per diagnosis (lifetime maximum $50,000), and monthly disability benefits of up to 75% of salary for nonvolunteer firefighters ($5,000 maximum) or $1,500 for volunteer firefighters.

Disability benefits continue for no more than 36 consecutive months and cease if the firefighter regains the ability to perform firefighter duties, as determined by reevaluation or treating physician.

Appropriates $17,000,000 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund to the Department of Insurance for the first year and requires annual reporting to the General Assembly on plan participation, claims filed, and cancer types.